Saumitra Khan calls Abhishek Banerjee ‘thief’; TMC files police complaint

BJP MP Saumitra Khan while addressing a rally in Cooch Behar on Tuesday (December 1), referred to TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee as “thief and robber”.

However, TMC leaders within the district have filed a police complaint against Khan for his “derogatory” remarks.

Saumitra Khan said after the rally, “Abhishek Banerjee is a thief, a robber and has links to coal mafia. He has also extorted money from youths after assuring them of giving jobs. I have no regrets in saying this in an open platform before all the people.”

Reacting to this statement, a TMC chief said, “We will file a case in court soon. Such remarks against someone who is a Member of Parliament cannot be accepted.”

Saumitra Khan was elected as an MLA on a Congress ticket in 2011. In 2014, he joined the TMC and have become an MP from Bishnupur seat. Ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, he joined the BJP.

MP Abhishek Banerjee had just lately mentioned, “No BJP leader, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has the guts to take my name. They instead use innuendos like ‘bhaipo’ or ‘bhatija’ (nephew) to level charges against me.” Over the previous few months, BJP leaders have focused him, referring to him as “bhaipo” (Nephew).

Also read: WB government to start free ambulance service for road accident victims

Abhishek Banerjee has been at the centre of many controversies over the past few years, and has been a central target of disgruntled TMC leaders and leaders from its rival parties – the BJP, the Left and the Congress.